Pappu Yadav revolts against Lalu-Paswan, wife joins Congress

Patna, April 5(IANS) Murder convict Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Pappu Yadav, barred from contesting elections, Sunday revolted against the Lalu Prasad-Ram Vilas Paswan alliance in Bihar and said he would campaign for the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls.

His wife Ranjita Ranjan, a Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) MP, joined the Congress to contest from Supaul constituency of the state as its candidate. She had earlier refused the Paswan-headed LJP's nomination. She was elected from Saharsa in Bihar on the LJP ticket in the 2004 election.

Pappu Yadav said he was angry over RJD chief Lalu Prasad's 'highhandedness' in distributing tickets for the polls. He said he was ignored while deciding on candidates.

'I will tour Bihar to campaign for Congress victory and defeat of communal Bharatiya Janata Party and its poll allies,' Pappu Yadav told reporters.

The former RJD leader refused to comment on whether he would join the Congress.

The Patna High Court last Thursday rejected Pappu Yadav's plea to suspend his conviction in a murder case so that he could contest the Lok Sabha election.

Ranjita Ranjan told reporters that she quit the LJP because she was neglected and ignored by the party leadership. 'Now I am in Congress. I strongly feel that there is hope and space for youngsters in Congress,' she said.